'Scrubs' gets healthy for its ABC premiere

By Rick Porter

January 5, 2009 2:00 PM

After last season's not-really-a-finale on NBC, Scrubs gets another shot to write its own ending when it moves to ABC on Tuesday.

That's a good thing, because the way the show went out -- shortened by the writers strike, then having NBC air an out-of-order (and somewhat underwhelming) fairy-tale episode as its swan song -- at its old home was far from ideal.

I don't know if the change in networks had anything to do with it, or if knowing that this is the last season for Zach Braff and, most likely, series creator Bill Lawrence (which in turn could mean that it's the last season, period), but the show seems to have some new energy this year. The first two episodes, which air back-to-back on Tuesday (starting at 9 p.m. ET), tone down some of the more far-out gags of recent years in favor of a more balanced tone. There are nearly as many dramatic moments in the hour as funny ones.

Which isn't to say the comedy is missing. Quite the opposite, in fact -- I got more genuine laughs from the show than I did a lot of last season.

And, because the zany stuff isn't as zany, the heavier moments fit in better than they have recently. (So, by the way, does Courteney Cox as the new chief of medicine at Sacred Heart. Think of her as a more attractive but equally bottom line-focused version of Ken Jenkins' Bob Kelso.)

I'll get more specific and spoiler-y tomorrow when I recap the episodes over at It Happened Last Night, but here are a few things to watch out for:

The new interns (of whom Human Giant member Aziz Ansari and Eliza Coupe are the most prominent) fit in pretty well. If the show were to continue in some form beyond this season, their roles would probably grow (although Ansari is now committed to the Amy Poehler show on NBC), but so far they're nice additions to the ensemble.
Glynn Turman won an Emmy in 2008 for his guest appearance on In Treatment, and he gives another knockout performance in Tuesday's second episode.
It's nice to see ABC giving the show some promotional love, but the most prominent clips in the spots -- J.D. dumping Ted out of a wheelchair and the team doing a "Nobody dies!" cheer -- aren't especially great bits. Most of the jokes are smarter and funnier than that.
Two words: Steak Night.

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6 Comments

I just hope they don't stay a couple seasons too long like Murphy Brown and Roseanne did, they ran those shows into the ground.

Alex | January 5, 2009 2:42 PM

I cant wait after last season was just terrible. Its like the seventh season didnt even happen to me. And is it just me or is Abc promoting it more than nbc did the whole time it was on nbc. If it does all end this season i hope they do it right dont do a fade to black kinda thing.

YAYYYYY | January 5, 2009 3:26 PM

As a die-hard Scrubs fan, I'm really excited about this upcoming season, especially since it sounds like it's back to its former glory.

I have also been impressed with ABC and how they've promoted the show. I've seen tons of Scrubs commercials during major sporting events like college football and NBA games. I've even seen ads on Myspace and Facebook. It's plain to see that Scrubs is no longer the unwanted step child like it was at NBC.

I want this to be its last season, but if the interns really impress me, then I'd be open to a few more. Needless to say, I'm pumped for tomorrow night!

MC | January 5, 2009 4:29 PM

NBC is a joke and they treat all their shows as if they were recycled beer cans. You crush them and then deposit it into the trash bin. That's why they're in 4th place right now and in danger of being in 5th. Oust Silverman once and for all!

Richard | January 5, 2009 6:25 PM

Thanks for the informative post. Seems like Korbi was reading it too for her "blog".

Jason | January 6, 2009 5:51 AM

Strange, here in Phoenix, AZ we only have one half-hour listed.

So we don't get the back-to-back episodes?

Josh | January 6, 2009 2:43 PM